smock

/smɑk/

/smɒk/

Other forms: smocks; smocked; smocking

A smock is a piece of clothing that's worn to protect the clothes it covers, like an artist's smock or an old-fashioned shepherd's smock.

When you wear a smock, you put on a loose, protective garment that resembles an apron with sleeves. When you smock, however, you use a special sewing technique that makes small, decorative pleats or gathers. The Old English root of smock is smoc, "loose-fitting woman's undergarment," which is probably related to the Old English smūgan, "to creep," and the Old Norse smjúga, "to put on or creep into a garment."

Definitions of smock

1. noun

   a loose coverall (coat or frock) reaching down to the ankles
   synonyms: dust coat, duster, gabardine, gaberdine

   type of:

   coverall

   a loose-fitting protective garment that is worn over other clothing
2. verb

   embellish by sewing in straight lines crossing each other diagonally
   “The folk dancers wore smocked shirts”

   type of:

   adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, grace, ornament

   make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.